A comparison of head scale microstructure between genera Eristicophis and Pseudocerastes

Abstract

In the present study, it was hypothesized that micromorphology undergoes a specific evolutionary path at the time of species derivation. Many authors have suggested that the microstructure of the superficial surface of scales has undergone important adaptations and has functional value in snakes. For testing this hypothesis, the skin microornamentation of the snakes genera Pseudocerastes and Eristicophis was studied using dino-lite digital microscope and scanning electron microscopy. Skin samples from the dorsal part of head in these related vipers were photographed and compared with each other in terms of divergence time. This study demonstrates that microstructures show a progression from an uneven honeycomb (a plesiomorphy) to a smoother and network-free (an autapomorphy) surface structure.